Plasma/cell concentrator apparatus and methods

A method for concentrating constituents from a fluid, comprising:

• urging a volume of the fluid from a first reservoir to a second reservoir through a fluid channel;
• passing the fluid and a volume of desiccant between the first and second reservoirs until one or more components from the fluid are absorbed by the desiccant;
• and
• withdrawing the fluid through a withdrawal channel which is in fluid communication with the fluid channel while preventing the desiccant from passing into the withdrawal channel.

An apparatus for concentrating constituents from a fluid, comprising:

• a housing defining a first portion and a second portion within;
• a filter positioned within the housing and separating the first portion and the second portion;
• a first port in fluid communication with the first portion;
• a second port in fluid communication with the second portion,
• wherein the first portion is configured to receive through the first port a mixture comprised of a fluid and a desiccant such that imparting a centrifugal force upon the housing urges the mixture through the filter and into the second portion, and
• wherein the desiccant having one or more components absorbed from the fluid is retained by the filter and a concentrated fluid is urged into the second portion.

A method for concentrating constituents from a fluid, comprising:

• introducing a mixture comprised of a fluid and a desiccant into a first portion of a housing;
• imparting a centrifugal force upon the housing such that the mixture is urged to pass through a filter positioned between the first portion and a second portion of the housing;
• and
• receiving a concentrated fluid into the second portion whereby the desiccant having one or more components absorbed from the fluid is retained by the filter.